Separable fastener



` Fb. 11, 1930.L G. suNDBAcK SEPARABLE FASTENER Filed sept. 22, 192e 4 sheets-Sheet 1 l -ATroRNEY A Feb. 11, 1930. G. suNDBAcK I SEPAR'ABLE FASTENER Fild Spt, 22. `1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Fels. 1v1, 1930.

G. sUNVDBAK SEPARABLE FASTENEB Filed sept. 22. 1926 4 {Sheets-Sheet' 3 Feb. 11, 1930. GfsUNDBAcK 1,746,565

sEARABLE FASTENER Filed Sept. 22, 19726` A'4'Sheets-Sheet 4 lrmum'nnlnulmln i; IZglENToR BW 4 AHORNEY use of a slider for 0bersl are secured to the 'f Passed' Feb. 11.1930

GIDEON SUNDBACK,

TENER CUMPANY, 'VANIA (lllE MEADVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, 0F MELDVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA,

OFFICE AssIGNon To HooKLEss ras- A CORPORATION or PENNSYL- sErAnABLn FAsrENER I ,application mea september 22,1926, seriel n, 137,018.

' This' invention elates to separable interlocking fasteners,`and hasfor `its object to provide, a novel system of interlocking members for overlapping stringers, whereby the locking and unlocking becomes unnecessary, becausel the' members are so formed as to interlock vby being pressed between the fingers and when interlocked resist separation under lateral strain tending 'to separate the stringere.l When the members are to be unlocked, one Stringer may be progressively' liexed to progressively `disengage the interlock. Although in'its'broad aspect the invention does away with the slider as now commonly employed in separable edgewise4 interlocking novel construction of slider may be conveniently employed.

According to this invention, locking memace and preferably inwardly of, rather than at, the Stringer edge, and the engagement is preferably between overlapping a'nd substantially parallel faces of a Stringer. -When locking members are secured tothe face 'of the Stringer inwardly of the edge, two instead o f one securin' means. are enerall referred one on each side of. the interlocking portion of the members, Actuationof .the locking members to Afacilitate engagement can be accomplished by a slider,

' thumb and'forenger can be' moved along 1 `or theoperators ngers. The locklng construction the 'stringers'to engage said locking members,

a .channel being formed longitudinally of the Stringer on each locking member so `as to `guide the closing means whether it be a slider mem-- bers may be in various forms. They ma have a projection and' recess somewhat like the Avshown in my'- prior Paterjit 1,219,881 except that the-elongation ofthe recessfand y of the stringers instead of normal thereto, or

45- each locking member may be of the wire type .having diverging projections with a spaceA between these projections and the stringer to receive the cooperating projections of members on the opposite Stringer, or the locking v members o n 'one Stringer may be dissimiliar to those'on the other, or the locking members fasteners, in Some forms. a Y

or the operators projection is parallel to the planesmaybe arranged Aoppositely or staggered relation on the two stringers. Referring to the drawin s: Fig. 1 is a tener made according to .this invention,

Fig. 2 shows the fastener of Fig. 1 operated by a slider, instead of the lingers,

Fig. 3 shows-this same type fastener opere ated by a diiferent type slider, b Fig. 4-is a detail of 'one of the recess memers, v b Fig. 5 is a detailof the projection memers, Fig. 6 is a side view' illustratin the method ofclosing the fastener bythe gers,

Fig. 7 is a detail of the tape construction, Fig. 8 is a detail construction,

perspective o one form of fase of another form of tape Fig. 9 shows a slider ofthe'same eneral Fig. 12 snows ehe 'fastener ef Fig. 1o being operated by a slider instead of the fingers,

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal section of the fastener of Fig. 10,

members of this fastener, s

Fig.13,. v Y I. Fig. 18 is a side view of the fastener `of Fig. 13 being closed by the ingers,

Fig. 19 is a section ythrough another typeY .of fastener, v

Fig. 20 -is a View similar to F ig. 19 except that the stringers are dii'erently arranged, Fig. 21 is a side view of the locking members on one Stringer,

Figf22 is a members, Y j Fig. 23 illustrates the locking members mounted on a Stringerv of another-form of this invention, j y

' Fig. 24 is a longitudinal section through perspective of the same locking end view of another type of i Fig-14 is a detail of one ofthe .locking als'A two locking members like that shown in Fig. 23 While in engagement,

Fig. 25 is a transverse section through the fastener of Fig. 23,

Fig. 26 isa view similar to Fig. 25 except that-the stringers are differently arranged,

Fig. 27 is a detail of a modified fastener,

Fig. 28 is a detail of a still further embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 29 shows a slider provided with an opening projection,

Fig. 30 illustrates an application of thel fastener to a handbag, j

Fig. 31 is a section through the fastener I on the handbag of Fig. so,

Fig: 32 illustrates another manner of aplication of a fastener of this invention to a andbag,

Fig. 33 is a section through the fastener of Fi. 32.

eferring to the embodiment of this invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the stringers 1 and 3 are provided with locking members arranged on their faces. The recess locking members 2 are arranged on one Stringer for cooperation with the projection A locking members 4 on the opposite stringer.

These locking members are oppositely arranged, and either or both are made yieldable to facilitate their engagement. A detail of the recess member is shown in Fig. 4 while Fig. 5 illustrates the vprojection member in detail. Securing means 8 are provided on either side of the interlocking portion, and the corded edges 5 of the tapes are inserted within the securing means and then lilrmly held by bending over said securing means. Each Stringer consists of the tape 6 longitudinally stitched at 11 to the tape 7, and each of the tapes 6 and 7 is rovided with a corded edge 5; tape 6 exten s over and covers the back of the locking members as shown in Fig. 1. The opposite stringer is similarly made of two pieces of tape 9 and 10 sewed together along the seam 11.

Each locking member is so'shaped as to form a groove longitudinally of the Stringer and between the securing means. This groove constitutes a finger guide means12 in closing the fastener, and the tape covering the groove and locking members provides a substantially smooth continuousV path for the iin ers over the spaced locking members.

n each side of the interlocking portions are abuttingv surfaces which prevent the locking members twisting and which facilitate engagement. The fastener in Fig. 1 showsthe stringers diverging at an acute angle whilel in Fig. 3 the str' rs extend in opposite directions from the astener. In bot-h of these .constructions and in other arrangements of the stringers, the fastener is adapted to stay closed under strain. 'While the locking members in Figs. 1 to 6 have been illustrated as being of the same length,l nevertheless either -two projections 24 the recessl or projection members may be made much longer than the other, or if desired one may be made substantially contiguous and stiff, depending on the flexibility of the opposite Stringer to engage the locking members.

In Fig. 2 the slider 13 is of a general U- shape comprising the wings 14 laterally connected by the bend as shown to provide a uniform unobstructed channel through which the stringers pass. The 'wings of the slider are bowed inwardly so that they fit and slide in the finger guide grooves 12. The ends of the slider are turned up as illustrated so that smooth travel is insured and there is no danger of the epd of the slider catching against an end portion of a locking member. The slider of Fig. 2 is adapted only to close the locking members but not open them. To open the fastener the stringers are spread apart by separating their overlapping portions.

In Fig. '3 the fastener of Fig. 1 is shown as being provided with a slider of a still different type comprising overlying Wings 15 fastener guide grooves l2, but the connecting portion is between the wings instead of being disposed laterally thereof and is inclined in a manner more clearly illustrated in Fig. 9. Actuation of the slider is by means of the pull de vice 17 attached to the lug 18 on one of the wings. y

Figs. 7 and 8 show details of the tapes and their corded edges. Each tape may comprise a corded-edge 5 completely enclosed by the fabric of the tape as shown in Fig. 7, the edge of the tape being wound around lthe corded edge and stitched or otherwise held in place. In Fig. 8 the corded edge is shown as being secured to the fabric by stitching but the corded edge is not enclosed by the fabric in this embodiment. i

In Fig. 9 is shown a slider of the same general construction as that shown in Fig. 3 eX- cept that a flexible loop 19 is provided in place of the pull device 17, the loop 19 being secured to the connecting portion'16. The slider of Fig. 9 is only adapted for closing the fasteneropening the fastener being accomplished by spreading the' stringers as previously described. In Fig. 3 on the other hand, the slider is ladapted for either opening or closing movement, the pull device 17 being slidable from one end of the lug 18 to the other, according to the direction of movement.

InFigs. 10 and 12 to 14 inclusive the fasv tener comprises the usual 'stringers 20 having corded edges 21 as shown secured at each end of the locking members 22 by means of the bent over securing portions 23. In this embodiment each locking member comprises diverging in opposite directions and, adapted to be held between a Vinterlocking '12 and 14 that `the projection onan opposite locking member and the Stringer, as illustrated in F ig.` 13. The projections 24.each have an inner flat surface overhanging the Stringer' which holds the projection of the opposed locking member when engaged. The diverging surare arrangedin staggered relation as shown.

in Fig. 13. It will be seen from Figs. l0,

grooves in' the locking f' members Vof each series form continuous guide grooves or tracks 12, the tapes passing over andcovering said guide grooves.

The slider shown in Figs. 11 and 12 is the same as that shown in Fig. 2, and is capable of operation on any lof the fasteners of this invention to close the them.

In Fig. 15 is shown a modification of the same but not to 4open 1 fastener as shown in 13, the interlockthe usual securing means and tapecovers ing portion comprising enlarged parts. 26 having rounded cross section as shown and elongated in a direction parallel to 'the Stringer planes. Each locking member has and is'in this respect like bers of Figs. 12 to 14. y,

In Figs; 16 and'17 are shown locking memthe locking memv bers 27 constructedfto engage in the manner these locking members I roun for facilitating engagement.' -When locked,

of the locking members of Fig. 13, but differing by beingrelatively shallow longitudi-v` nally of the Stringer, thus increasing the flexi- 'bility'of the fastener. The connecting portion or shank 28 between the interlocking projections and each 'securing meansV enables to-be arranged relatively close together and yet capable of engagement with lmembers on. the opposite strin er. .In Figs'. 12 to 18 the projections are cgied or bevelled to form guiding surfaces the' projections 24or 26 Aoverlap and ft in between the Shanks ofthe cooperating-locking members, as shown lin Figs. 12, 13 and ,'15, preventing them from coming apart transversely as'v-iewed in Fig. 12. To unlock the fastener one or both stringersmay be progressively flexed or curled apart to progressively disengage the. interlock.

In Figs. A19 to. 22 inclusive,- each locking.

l member 30 is similarin shape as in Figs.Y 12

to 18, but. instead .of engaging in the samemanner each-locking member comprises areces's or socket portion 32', and a projectionSl from which it will be seen that-these locking members are somewhat like thoseshown in my prior Patent 1,219,881, therecess land projection in each case beingelongated, but

in the present instance the elongation is in the direction of thestringer planes instead of transverse thereto. f The sides' of the projections 31 are tapered or rounded as at 34 to produce guiding surfaces facili-tatingengagement of the locking members. In Figs. 19

to 22 each stringer comprises the two portions of tape stitchedtogether at 35 and invention, the. locking members. of Figs. 19

lto 22 are shaped to provide thel finger guide grooves covered by the tape. Another dis-v tinction between the locking member of Figs. 19 to 22 and those of my prior patent mentioned include the location of theselocking memberson the face or faces of the stringers and noton their edges, and this is true regardless of` whether the second tape cover` ing the locking members be used. 1 y -In Figs. 23 to 26 is shown anotherembodiment of this invention in which the locking members 36 comprise projections 37 and recesses 38 all stamped and bent from a fiat sheet of material. The ends of the projections are rounded as at 39, to provide guiding surfaces aiding in the cooperation of the locking members. Each of the recess portions 38 enga-ged b the projection of the opposite locking mem er is also rounded as at '40, see Fig. `24 t0.

faces. In order to give the projection 37 its it may engage the opposite member and yet all locking members be alike, this projection may .requisite length, after stamping out so that either be elongated as by further stamping provide the desired guiding surl or the sides of the recess portion maybe brought closer together under compression. As shown in Fig. 24, it is necessary that 'the projection extend over the edge'of the opposite recess a sufficient amount to hold the locking members in engagement. As shown in the drawings, securing means are provided on each side ofthe locking portions. Figs. 25 and 26 illustrate hoW` the stringers may be dilfer'ently ar/ranged and yet the fastener `re boththe interlocking projection 43 and the i cooperating recess 44 may be yieldable. If. desired, the projecting portion 42 and its projection 43 mightbe rigid, the flexibility and'yieldability being confined to the opposite stringer aand its locking members.

In Fig. 28 is illustrated the modification where the projection and recess portions are both substantially continuous, and each is of yieldable material such as rubber. To increase the life of such a fastener, the material of the recess and projecting portions 45 and 46 respectively may be reinforced as by thin metal wires for example applied in the molding process. Where the stringers for the locking portions are substantially continuous, as in Figs. 27 and 28, no fabric covering is necessary to insure a smooth travel for the fingers or a slider, but ity will be noticed that in each of these figures the finger guide grooves12 have also been provided. Y

In Fig. 29 is shown a modified type of slider somewhat like that shown in Fig. 11 except that at the connectingportion 47-is an opening projection 48, extending into the space between the wings and serving to separate the locking members so that with such a slider a fastener may be either opened or closed.

In Figs. 30 and 31 is shown afastener of the type ofFigs. l to 5 for example applied to a handbag 49, the fastener being opened and closed by a slider of the Jjtype shown in Fig. 3. In Figs. 32 and 33 the handbag 5() has a fastener of the type shown in Figs. l2 to 14 arranged along the top and controlled by a slider of the type shown in Fig. 29. The use of fasteners having engaging means on opposite faces of the stringer instead of their edges precludes the necessity of a sharper bend in the stringers or material of the bag in the construction shown in Fig. 32.

The invention of the present fastener is different from that shown and described in the patent to Statham #1,480,027 dated J anuary 8, 1924, who shows a numberl of snap fasteners intended to be controlled by a slider havin yieldable sides. The present invention (Iistinguishes in many ways from the Statham construction such as bythe presence of guide grooves facilitating manipulation by the fingers, by the provision of spaced securing means or clamping jaws on either side of the interlocking portion, by the fabric covering making for smoother travel of iingers or a slider, the elongation of the recess and projection portions, the shape ofAthe 1ninterlocking portions so that thev progressive engagement of each ortion of the locking members facilitates t e engagement of the next succeeding portion and the shape of the locking membersenabling them to be closely spaced and having the fastener exible.

Among the advantages ofthis invention may be mentioned that no slider is necessary and the fastener maybe closed progressively by the fingers, opening occurring by spreading the stringers apart. When closed, the

stringers may extend in different directions and yet the fastener remain closed. The presenceof abutting surfaces on either side of the interlocking portion facilitates engagement by the prevention of twisting. The guide grooves serve as a track for the fingers or slider, and the fabric covering is condu- -ive to smooth travel of either the fingers or slider. This fastener is adapted for location Where an edgewise fastener is not preferable or' suitable. j

I claim:

1. A separable fastener comprising a pair of overlapping iiexible stringer-s having locking members arranged in staggered relation on their adjacent faces, and projections on said members interlockiiw with projections of adjacent members on tlie opposite stringers.

2. A separable fastener comprising a pair of overlapping iiexible stri-ngers having cooperating interlocking members arranged in staggered relaton'on their adjacent faces, projections on said members having engaging portions overhangingthe stringer to overlap and hold the projections of locking memj bers on the opposite stringer when engaged,

and diverging guiding surfaces on said projections to facilitate interlocking engagement by progressively overlapping said stringers.

3. A separable fastener comprising a pair of overlapping iiexible stringers, locking members each having spaced shanks connecting them to adjacent faces of said stringers, and projections on each of said locking members adapted to be held between adjacent projections and shanks of locking members on the opposite stringer.

4. A separable fastener comprising a pair of overlapping flexible stringer's, cooperating series of interlocking members arranged in staggered relation on adjacent faces of said stringers, each interlocking member having projections spaced from the face of the stringer and shanks connecting the projections to the stringer, said projections being adapted to overlap the projections of adjacent interlocking members on theopposite stfringer and fitting between the shanks thereo 5. A separable fastener comprising a pair of overlapping flexible stringers, cooperating series of interlocking members arranged in staggered relation on adjacent faces of said lstringers adapted to be progressively engaged and disengaged by progressively lapping 'or spreading the stringers apart, each interlocking mem ery having projections with diverging guiding surfaces spaced from the face of 6. A separable fastener comprising a pair of overlapping stringers, locking members each having spaced securlng means attached to adjacent faces of said stringers, and means .pair of corded edges on their adjacent faces,

locking members havingv spaced vsecuring means attached to said corded edges, and locking portions between the securing means of A each. locking member for engagement With lockingl members on the opposite stringer.v

8. A separable fastener comprising a pair of overlapping stringere having contiguous outer edges, locking members arranged in j staggered relation on adjacent faces of said of overlapping stringere,

'grooves in .prtions of the stringers and projections on each locking' 20 member transverse to the edge of the Vstringer for interlocking engagement with projections ofv locking members on the opposite Stringer.

9. A separable fastener comprising a-pair of overlapping stringers each having a spaced pair'of corded edges, locking members having their ends bent over said corded edges to secure them to said stringers, and cooperating locking portions intermediate the ends of said members 10. A separable fastener comprising a pair of overlapping stringers, cooperating series of locking members on overlapping portions of saidy stringers, and longitudinal grooves in said locking members adjacent the stringers forming tracks for guiding operating means. y

11'. A separable fastenericomprising a pair cooperating series of locking members secured to and partly coveredpby said stringers, and longitudinal locking members `A covered'by. the stringere forming continuous .tracks for guiding operating means.

12. A separable fastener comprising a pair of overlapping stringers, cooperating series of locking members each having spaced securing means attached to a Stringer and an intermediate-portion covered by the Stringer, and in the intermediate portion of each locking member covered by the Stringer forming continuous tracks for guiding operating 13. A separable means.

locking members on overlapping portions of said stringers, lon itudinal grooves in said locking members a jacent the strin ers, and a slider havin Wings tracking in sai grooves to engage sait? locking members.

14.- A separable fastener comprising a pair of overlapping strings, cooperating s'eries of locking`\members secured to andv partlv covered by said stringers, a longitudinal groove 1n av ortlon of each lockingr member covered by e lStringer forming continuous4 18th day of September,

A fastener 'comprising a pair of overlapplng stringere, cooperatmgseries of cooperating interj locking members adjacent the stringere, .and a U-shaped sliderhaving overlying Wmgs tracking in said grooves to engage said inter- .locking members.

Signed at Meadville,

in the county of Crawford and State of Pennsylvania, this A. D. 1926. GIDEON SUN DBAQK.v 

